T he opening chapter of Chew Hee Chiat’s story will be familiar to those who once aspired to become musicians, but were restrained in the starting blocks by parental objections to a career unlikely to bring affluence.
But the conductor and composer’s achievements over the past 30 years should encourage those more inclined to follow their hearts than conform to sensible stereotypes.
Born in the Malaysian state of Penang, Chew is the resident conductor of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO). The 43-year-old will take the podium for at least half a dozen concerts in the ensemble’s new season, which will launch in September. He will also be closely involved in its second International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music.
Chew first appeared on the troupe’s radar in 2000, not with baton in hand but clutching his submission for the International Competition for Chinese Orchestral Compositions organised by the orchestra. He was placed second runner-up. As a non-Chinese entrant, he raised eyebrows.
“They couldn’t tell where this guy was from,” he says. “It didn’t sound like it had been written by someone from China, and it made them wonder about me. It was probably because of my Southeast Asian heritage, and the way I presented that in my music.”
Two years later, Chew was taken on by the orchestra as assistant conductor. He became associate conductor in 2007, and was promoted to his current position in 2009.